Restoring Hope After the Floods – Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) Emergency Response in Lahj, Yemen

Lahj located in southern Yemen, is a historical and agricultural area, but has become vulnerable to floods in the recent years. Poor infrastructure and environmental damage have made it tough for communities to handle heavy rain. The recurrent flooding has caused severe damage to homes, farmland and infrastructure, leaving hundreds of families displaced.

In August 2025, heavy rainfall struck many areas in Yemen, which lead to destructive flooding that caused significant destruction in the city of Lahj. Many families lost their homes and belongings which left many displaced and in need of emergency shelter and support. In response to the crisis, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) assisted by providing aid for the affected families of Lahj.

The response was carried out from August 29 to September 30, 2025, reaching many affected community members of Lahj. A total of 101 families, and 583 individuals were identified during the crisis.

Today, Lahj’s floods show how climate change can impact Yemen. The region’s long history of resilience contrasts sharply with its current struggles against worsening environmental hazards. As floods become more frequent and destructive, rebuilding infrastructure and strengthening local preparedness have become critical to protecting Lahj’s people and preserving its historic role as one of Yemen’s agricultural heartlands.

Jumaa Ahmed, a resident of Lahj shared his experience:

“I never imagined that a single night of rain could erase an entire lifetime. When the floods struck our camp near the Sadd Falaj in Lahj, torrents of water swept through, destroying everything we owned. Within a few harrowing hours, our shelter collapsed, our possessions disappeared, and we barely escaped with our lives. My family and I were left standing in the mud with nothing but the clothes we wore.”

He described the pain of displacement, as he remembers how his family members wandered around without shelter or food. “We appealed to organizations for help” he said, “but for a time, there was only silence. We were consumed by despair and fear of being forgotten.”

“A glimmer of hope emerged when the LIFE for Relief and Development team visited to assess our circumstances. Within days, an emergency convoy arrived to provide shelter for those affected by the floods, including internally displaced persons and families fleeing the devastation of war. They delivered comprehensive shelter kits and essential supplies, enabling us to regain a sense of stability. For the first time since the disaster, I felt a measure of relief.”

Jumaa expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided, where he described it as a restoration of dignity and hope. He said, “To all who extended their hands to us, I express my deepest gratitude. Your kindness provided that even when everything is lost, generosity can light the path toward rebuilding".

Restoring hope not only brings back smiles, it brings back strength to help rebuild.